Jesus HAD to go through Samaria. So begins, the story of Jesus and his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4:1-42. Where is our Samaria?
The Box
(Sermon preached March 5, 2023). We meet Nicodemus in John 3:1-17. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus is troubled by Jesus. Jesus doesn’t fit in Nicodemus’ box, and yet he knows Jesus cannot do what he does apart from God. So he gets curious and opens his box of beliefs a crack. Is it enough for the Spirit to stir? Is Nicodemus reborn? Are we?
Tempted
(Sermon preached February 26, 2023) The story of the temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) invites us to think about how temptation functions in our own lives. In this sermon, I turn to the writings of Evagrius Ponticus and his “Eight Bad Thoughts,” and then I add one of my own. Understanding how temptation is at work in our lives can help us to address it before it becomes sin.
Six Days
The loudest words we hear in the story of Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) are, “Listen to him!” This story happens after the disciples struggle to hear what Jesus is saying about being arrested and killed in Jerusalem and the cost of discipleship. Sometimes, like the disciples, we have a hard time listening to Jesus. When is that for you?
Love Out Loud
(Sermon preached February 6, 2023) In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world?” Are we going to hide that light or let it shine?